Know Your Bible
VOL. 13 January 11, 2015 NO. 44
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ARE YOU?
Are you one of those who has drifted out of attending Bible class? We are all creatures of habit, good or bad. Form good habits and good things can happen - and of course, vice versa (Gal. 6:7-9). Has it become a habit for YOU to 'skip' Bible study but come to worship? Which of the following fits you?
1. I come to Bible study every once in a while. .
2. I used to come but have quit.
3. I don't need to come. I know enough already.
4. I don't think it’s important.
5. I really ought to come but I'm out of the habit.
6. I really want to come, but just haven't done it yet.
While you are pondering the categories let's see if you disagree with or dismiss the following Biblical principles:
1. Every Christian needs to grow. (2 Pet. 3:18)
2. God's word causes us to grow. (1 Pet. 2:2)
3. In time we should be able to teach others. (Heb. 5:12-14)
4. We should grow and help others grow by being together. (Heb. 10:24-25)
5. We have personal responsibility to share with others of our time, influence, talents, and knowledge. (Eph. 4:16)
It is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions - never completed. The road to heaven is paved with good intentions; immediate action. and consistent effort. Why not get on the right road now? Start attending Bible classes regularly! The soul you save may be your own.
—John Clark
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CAN YOU BE TRUSTED?
Trust. It is a vital part of every positive human relationship. Think of the problems that come when nations cannot trust each another, or when suspicion and doubt clouds the relationship between parents and children, husbands and wives, citizens and governments, or bosses and employees. How many wars, separations, divorces, revolutions and strikes could be attributed primarily to a lack of trust? Surely we could fill the world's oceans with the tears of bitterness and pain that have streamed from the eyes of people who could not trust each other.
"Well, yes," you say, "Lack of trust ruins a lot of good relationships, but the solution is simple; we should all just decide to trust each other!" Really? Do you think the United States should just go ahead and trust the governments of Korea and Iran with all the nuclear weapons they want? Should citizens whose government has been oppressive and murderously violent continually trust their government to do the right thing? Should the boss give the combination of the safe to the employee who has been caught stealing? I think you see the problem. Trust is not something that can or should be extended to people who have shown themselves to be unworthy of it. Most of the time there is a reason for a lack of trust.
The Bible shows clearly that those who break trust are responsible for causing the pain and problems that a lack of trust brings. Trust-breakers often want to place the blame on others and seek pity for themselves. But frankly, it is hard to feel sorry for the teenager who complains "My parents don't trust me" after his parents have found drugs in his room, or an unpaid speeding ticket in the mail, or a beer can in the floorboard. Those who have been untrustworthy need to bear their own reproach, face the consequences of their own actions and (if they wish to be accepted by God and trusted again by their fellowmen) repent and take appropriate steps toward rebuilding trust.
Here are some things that those who have broken trust must face up to:
- They've caused pain for others. It hurts to count on someone who can't be counted on! "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint" (Proverbs 25:19).
- They have created their own problems. "The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust'' (Proverbs 11:6). "Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard" (Proverbs 13:15). "He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known" (Proverbs 10:9).
- Their lack of faithfulness and fidelity is disgusting to righteous people. "I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word" (Psalm 119:158, NIV).
- People have good reason not to trust them in other areas. Unfaithfulness in one area indicates a tendency to be unfaithful in other areas. In Luke 16:10, Jesus said, "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much" (see also Jeremiah 9:1-5).
- They must commit themselves to rebuilding trust by making full confession of their unfaithfulness, seeking forgiveness and changing their behavior. Rebuilding trust takes a lot of effort on the part of the one who has been unfaithful. When one who has behaved in an untrustworthy way attempts to hide part or all of what he has done, or minimizes it in any way, it becomes very difficult to renew trust.
Look at what God instructed Israel to do to rebuild their relationship with Him after they had been unfaithful. "But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, with their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, and that they also have walked contrary to Me . . . if their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt; {42} then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham I will remember; I will remember the land" (Leviticus 26:40-42). The restoration of Israel to a good relationship with God depended on her willingness to humbly acknowledge her guilt.
Trust is such a precious thing. If you have it in the vital relationships of your life, do everything you can to maintain it. Be faithful. Be true. Be honest. If you've been unfaithful, untrue, or dishonest, do all within your power to restore the trust. You'll be glad you did.
—Steve Klein
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***SENTENCE SERMONS***
If you will get on the right road and go straight, you will not get lost.
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Common sense is one of the most uncommon things around.
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You may need false teeth but be sure that your tongue is
always true.
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It takes far more effort to make a good life than a good living.
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Often the chains of bad habits are two small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.
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To be sound, an argument must be true.
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Know Your Bible" is e-mailed weekly by the church of Christ which meets at 112 Roberts Avenue in Wise, Virginia. If you know of others who might benefit from the articles contained in this bulletin, we would be glad to have you submit their e-mail addresses and we will include them in next week's mailing. If you are receiving this bulletin and do not wish to continue to do so, please e-mail us with your desire to be removed from the mailing list and we will remove your address promptly. Continue to the bottom of this page and further instructions will be given as to how you may contact us.
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